England and Argentina picked up their second straight victories in the women's field hockey World Cup on Tuesday.
England defeated China 1-0 in its Pool B match, while host Argentina edged South Korea 1-0 and South Africa defeated Spain 2-1 for its first victory in the group.
Hannah Macleod scored the winner for England early in the match, converting a penalty corner. The loss was the second in two matches for China.
Carla Rebecchi scored the winner for Argentina, taking advantage as South Korea failed to score off three penalty corners.
South Africa produced its first victory in a women's World Cup match since beating Ukraine in 2002. Pietie Coetzee and Nuria Camon got the goals. Coetzee also scored in the first match, a 5-2 loss to Argentina.
Argentina and England lead Pool B with a maximum of six points.
England coach Danny Kerry was prepared for China.
"I knew it would be a very close game because every game we have played against China in the last six years has been decided by one goal," Kerry said. "In the second half we were outplayed and I think some of the girls looked tired."
Argentina also squeaked by, paying attention to stopping South Korea's penalty corners.
"It was a difficult game," Argentine coach Carlos Retegui said. "Korea is a very physical team and has a great penalty-corner unit. Against Korea you have to pay attention to many details."
In Pool A, Australia, Germany and defending World Cup champion the Netherlands will try for their second straight victories on Wednesday. Australia faces India, Germany is against Japan and the Netherlands take on New Zealand. India, Japan and New Zealand lost their first matches
Getting off to a fast start is crucial since only the top two teams in each pool advance to the semifinals on Sept. 9. The final and third-place games are Sept. 11.
